In my previous post (2025 Lions Contenders), I selected my squad for the Lions tour and went through the biggest contenders for every spot. Here, I choose my 23-man squad to take on Australia in the first test.
1.Andrew Porter
Porter has been a standout performer for both Leinster and Ireland for a long time now. Ellis Genge is close to starting but Porter gets the edge due to his connection with my other front row selections.
2.Dan Sheehan
Sheehan is a physical freak who is quick enough to be a back but also possesses the necessary skills to be a world-class hooker. He is one of the first names in my XV.
3.Tadhg Furlong
Completing my all-Irish front row is Tadhg Furlong. He has had some injury issues and there is some doubt about whether or not he will have had the requisite game time to start the first test but, if he is fit, he is still a top player.
4.Maro Itoje
Itoje is now a true veteran and leader whilst also being one of the best locks in the world. The England captain has found some of his best form in recent months and is back to being a nuisance at the breakdown. In the event that Doris's injury prevents him from playing, Itoje is my tour captain.
5.Tadhg Beirne
Beirne has played a lot at blindside flanker for Ireland recently but starts in the second row for me. He, along with Itoje, brings line-out dominance and open-play athleticism to the pitch.
6.Jac Morgan
I have gone with a pair of openside flankers instead of a traditional blindside which is a risk but it's one that is worth it. Morgan is a strong ball-carrier, good tackler and (most importantly) is superb at jackaling. He will form a formidable partnership with Curry.
7.Tom Curry
Curry brings a similar set of skills to Jac Morgan but that doesn't make either of them redundant - in fact it's quite the opposite. Having two world-class sevens brings more speed in open play and more of an advantage at the breakdown, particularly in defence.
8.Caelan Doris(C)
Assuming that his health allows it, Doris is my tour captain and will start every game. He is the quintessential number 8 and I mean that in the best way possible. He was shortlisted for "World Rugby Player of the Year" last year and for good reason. He does everything at a high level with no weakness and his leadership brings a crucial calmness to very intense situations.
9.Jameson GIbson-Park
He is key to the attacking style of an Andy Farrell team and is the obvious choice in his position. I can't wait to see a partnership between him and Finn Russell.
10.Finn Russell
This position has been the subject of much debate but, ultimately, the best player has been picked to start. Russell is a maverick and creator which could scare off some risk-averse coaches but that shouldn't matter given that he almost always has a decisively positive impact on his team.
11.James Lowe
Lowe is a crucial player for Farrell and Ireland. He is a powerhouse on the left wing and his huge left boot is a big part of Ireland's kicking game. Van der Merwe could start here but I have more trust in Lowe.
12.Sione Tuipulotu
Despite an injury, which forced him to miss the Six Nations, Tuipulotu has surpassed Bundee Aki as the premier centre in European rugby. He is now not just a straight-line threat with power, but also a brilliant distributor and playmaker. His attacking kicking has also developed into an asset and his familiarity with Fin Russell is vital for that 10-12 connection to work quickly.
13.Huw Jones
Jones walks into this line-up in my eyes. He has become a good defender as well as one of the best attacking centres in the World. His ability to pick great lines matches up perfectly with Russell's dazzling array of passes.
14.Darcy Graham
Graham is up against Tommy Freeman for this spot. The two are very different players with Freeman being big and physical and Graham being smaller and more agile. Graham is also a powerful player with a low centre of gravity who can make any would-be tackler look stupid.
15.Blair Kinghorn
Kinghorn has become the clear choice at this position with his creativity in attack partnered by his defensive solidity.
Bench
16.Jamie George
George is the first player on my full-English bench. He is a former England captain and is a top set-piece operator. He is someone you want on the pitch in the final moments of a big game.
17.Ellis Genge
Genge is also a true leader and brings plenty of power from the bench to change the dynamic of a game.
18.Will Stuart
Stuart has massively elevated his level in recent months and is unlucky to not be starting. However, I have decided to go for joined-up front rows so he misses out.
19.Ollie Chessum
Chessum has always been a good player for club and country but has recently stepped up and become a ferocious ball-carrier. He can cover both the second row and blindside flanker if necessary.
20.Ben Earl
Earl is unlucky to miss out in this scenario but he is a game-changer with good versatility which means the bench is the minimum for him.
21.Alex Mitchell
Tomos Williams could easily take this place but Mitchell's partnership with Fin Smith gives him the edge.
22.Fin Smith
Smith has shown plenty of times now that he is capable of winning big games in dramatic ways. His late penalty to beat Bath at home and his part in the late try to beat France (both this season) highlight his steeliness in big moments.
23.Tommy Freeman
Freeman makes the bench for me due to being able to play at wing and centre. He is a big unit who can cause problems for any defence. He may miss out due to a selection of six forwards on the bench but, in my eyes, he should be in the 23.
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